Governing knowledge in agri-food systems
My research looks at how agri-food knowledge systems are governed through climate, digital, and institutional change. Using grounded, interpretive social science, I study how misinformation, AI, and advisory institutions shape whose knowledge counts, and how farmers and rural communities make fair, well-informed, climate-resilient decisions.
My early work looked at how advisory and natural-resource governance systems build or limit rural capacity. My postdoctoral work extended this into digital agri-food systems, showing how misinformation, online toxicity, AI, and fragmented institutions affect the quality and legitimacy of agricultural advice. My next research program treats agri-food knowledge governance and epistemic security as a foundation for climate action.
Interactive map of four research pillars orbiting a central agri-food knowledge governance hub. Select a pillar to read its focus.
My research program
Agri-food knowledge governance & epistemic security
Four connected pillars, one program: how agri-food knowledge systems are governed through climate, digital, and institutional change. Hover or tap a pillar to explore.
Research Questions
RQ 1: How do misinformation, online toxicity, and falling trust reshape how agricultural and climate knowledge moves through advisory networks and online communities?
RQ 2: How are AI and digital tools changing agricultural advice, and what does responsible, farmer-centred AI adoption require?
RQ 3: How can advisory institutions and capacity-building be governed so agri-food knowledge stays trustworthy, accessible, and fair, supporting climate action under uncertainty?
Recent Publications
Recent Publications
- SWOT-AHP-TOWS analysis of decision support system adoption in the Ontario rainbow trout industry Journal of Rural Studies DOI
- EAS for economic development — what is missing in Canada and how can CAREE help? Canadian Agri-food & Rural Advisory, Extension and Education Journal DOI
- Misinformation in agriculture: How actors shape agricultural information systems Land DOI
- Essential livelihood capitals for effective climate adaptation in Pakistan’s irrigated agriculture: Insights from PLS-SEM and NCA Heliyon DOI
- Sowing trust in the machine: Ethical pathways for large language models in farmer-centered extension AI & SOCIETY DOI
- Effectiveness of Facebook groups in enhancing the capacity of rooftop gardeners Urban Agriculture & Regional Food Systems DOI
Show all 15 publications
- The dynamics of social conflict deforestation: Empirical evidence from refugee crisis in southeast Bangladesh Environmental and Sustainability Indicators DOI
- How does misinformation influence the digital agri-food advisory service? Sustainable Futures DOI
- Evils of knowledge sharing and learning: The case of agri-food misinformation Data and Information Management DOI
- The socioeconomic drivers of invasive plant cover in rural Galapagos Biological Invasions DOI
- Climate change perception, adaptation, and constraints in irrigated agriculture Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change DOI
- Three faces of climate change: Farmers’ perceptions and adaptive capacity Journal of Climate Services DOI
- Embracing pluralism: Stakeholder perceptions of advisory methods in Ontario Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension DOI
- Adoption of digital technologies in rainbow trout aquaculture Aquaculture DOI
- How do agricultural advisory services meet farmers’ needs? Journal of Rural Studies DOI
Publications under review
- Khondokar H. Kabir*† & Ataharul Chowdhury. (2026). Building epistemic competence in agri-food systems: a research agenda. Nature Food (Perspective, under editorial review).
- Khondokar H. Kabir*†, Ataharul Chowdhury, Ruth Nettle, Laurens Klerkx, & Andrea Knierim. (2026). Reinventing agricultural extension education in universities. Science (under editorial review).
- Khondokar H. Kabir*†, Saifur Rahman, Ataharul Chowdhury, & Uwe A. Schneider. (2026). What shapes desire differs from what enables action: a TAM–TPB analysis of generative AI adoption among agricultural extension professionals. Scientific Reports (Submitted).
- Khondokar H. Kabir*† & Ataharul Chowdhury. (2026). Discourses on the roots and resilience of climate misinformation: Perspectives from the Canadian agri-food sector. Climate Policy (Minor revision).
- Ataharul Chowdhury, Khondokar H. Kabir†, & Niaz Ahmed Khan. (2025). Effectiveness of pluralistic agricultural extension sources in Ontario, Canada: A Q-methodology approach. Ciência Rural (Accepted).
Networking Events
Discover my conferences and networking opportunities to connect with professionals in the agriculture and food industry.